SHAWNEE, Okla. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men's basketball team fell on the road at Oklahoma Baptist University on Thursday from Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Weevils battled throughout and made a late push to get within striking distance, but OKBU hit some big shots down the stretch to earn the 77-74 victory.
 
The Weevils and the Bison kept up the battle throughout the game with 11 lead changes and four ties. In fact, the largest lead for either team was just 11 points, but that was erased shortly after.
 
With the Weevils down 10 in the first period, they made a run in the final few minutes. Marcus Gilbert hit a three to cut it to seven, and a little later, KJ Lesure drained a triple as well to make it a four-point OKBU advantage.
 
In the final minute of the half, the Weevils took the lead by one after a Lesure triple, 33-32, but just before the break, Sayvon Milton hit a three of his own to give the Bison a 35-33 lead into halftime.
 
Throughout the second half, both teams remained in a battle. OKBU got hot and took an 11-point lead, but Kwame McBean hit a big basket off an assist from Lesure to make the lead single-digits.
 
Later, UAM kept it close and got it back down to a two-point advantage in the final two minutes after a three from Lesure. Jeremiah Alexander then hit a free throw to make it a one-point game shortly after.
 
With 38 seconds left, OKBU hit a pair of free throws, but UAM responded with a big-time three from Austin Hardy to make it 73-72 in favor of the Bison. OKBU answered with a dunk to make it a four-point lead.
 
Gilbert answered right back with a basket cutting it to one once again. The Weevils then had to foul. The Jaquan Simms hit both of his free throws to give the Bison a 77-74 lead with six seconds on the clock. The Weevils then rushed up the floor and Gilbert attempted a three in the final seconds, but it was no-good, and OKBU held on to win, 77-74.
 
Lesure led UAM scorers with 16 points while also dishing out five assists and grabbing three steals.

Denzel McDuffey had a solid game as well with 14 points and seven rebounds.
 
With the loss, the Weevils fall to 19-11 overall and 11-10 in Great American Conference play while OKBU improves to 19-8 overall and 14-7 in GAC games. UAM is now tied for fifth in the standings with one game remaining on the schedule. Final seeding for the tournament will be determined following the last game of the regular season on Saturday.
 
UP NEXT
UAM will conclude its regular season schedule on the road at Southern Nazarene University Saturday at 7:30 p.m. following the women's game.